Golden Foodie: Chef-driven restaurants to be honored

Food and restaurant enthusiasts will have a chance to vote for their favorite local eatery in a new culinary competition that puts the spotlight on independent and chef-driven Orange County dining establishments.

"This will absolutely become a fantastic new tradition in Orange County," said Pam Waitt, president of the OC Restaurant Association, which organizes dining events such as Orange County Restaurant Week.

Most winners will be selected based on public voting that starts this month, culminating in a red carpet event Sept. 30 at the Fairmont Newport Beach Hotel.

The winners of two categories (Golden Chef and Golden Pastry Chef) will be selected by The Golden Foodie Awards Guild, a panel of food media, chefs and industry professionals. Register food columnist Cathy Thomas is one of the judges.

Voting begins Aug. 5 and continues through the end of the month. During that time, nominated restaurants are encouraged to create special dishes to lure diners to vote for them.

For example, Savannah Chop House in Laguna Niguel is offering a special three-course dinner for this so-called "Golden Dine Out" period. The $36-per-person meal includes main entree choices that best "showcase" the cuisine up for an award, according to the menu. As a nominee for best steak, the restaurant is offering a steak trio dish that includes prime flat iron steak, filet mignon and New York steak with barbecue sauce.

Waitt said she started planning the Golden Foodie Awards more than a year and a half ago.

"Chefs are always asked to do things. They are always giving something. This is something that is just for them and just recognizing them," Waitt said.

The idea to plan an awards event strictly for county restaurants came from the growing trend of new eateries expanding in the heart of Orange County, she said.

"It engages the community in a different way. Although it's a competition, it's a healthy competition," she said. "Food is the one thing that brings all cultures together. There is a lot to celebrate for that."

Winners will be announced at the awards banquet. The red carpet event will feature cocktails, samples of food by the restaurant finalists, entertainment and an after party.

Tickets for the Golden Foodie Awards are for sale online for $150 each.

After Aug. 10, the price increases to $250 per ticket.

"This is a fun event for everyone who loves food," Waitt said.

Waitt answered a few other questions about the awards:

Q: Can people vote more than once?

A: People cannot vote more than once per category. The IP address will be blocked after each vote per category, Waitt said.

Q: Are you planning to make this an annual event?

A: This will become either an annual event or happen every two years. We will discuss with the guild and decide from there, Waiit said.

Q: Many local publications, including The Register, put out "best of" publications. How does Golden Foodie hope to set itself apart from the pack?

A: This is my favorite question because the Golden Foodie Awards are really nothing like any of the "best of" publications. For one thing we don't have a publication, so that really sets us apart. We've also created an event around the awards that allows restaurants to encourage voting during the Golden Dine Out. Another thing that really sets us apart is that this event is for either chef-driven and/or independent restaurants. Last but not least, we are having a grand awards ceremony and creating a celebration around the Golden Foodie Awards. Even our awards are spectacular. They are made by the same people that make the Golden Globes. (solid pewter and covered in 14 karat gold).

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